Solo Traveler’s Guide to Tinipak River

Dramatic marble rock formations, an in-cave natural swimming pool and its proximity to Metro Manila, make this gem a perfect getaway for the weekend. Tinipak is located in between boundaries of Barangay Daraitan in Rizal and General Nakar in Quezon Province. The river is popular to mountaineers since this is the main attraction after summiting Mt. Daraitan and it was also awarded as the cleanest inland body of water in Region IV.

Stunning marble rock formations of Tinipak River.

My recent trip to Tinipak River is not actually solo. I’m with a friend but I decided to write this guide for solo travelers since I cannot find one on the net. I was actually planning to go solo before but I was a little bit hesitant since I haven’t heard or read from anyone who did.

The bridge going to the cave.

The Road to Tinipak River

From Star Mall in Shaw Boulevard, ride a commuter UV Express van going to Tanay Market. Upon reaching Tanay market, ride a tricycle going to Barangay Daraitan. It’s not hard to find them in Tanay since they will be the one to find you. Before riding, make sure to ask how much the driver will charge. Try to haggle but their rate is pretty much the same if you’re in a group of six. It’s also possible to ride a jeep bound to Sampaloc but you still need to get another tricycle going to Barangay Daraitan.

After about 1.5 hours of tricycle ride, you will need to cross a river to reach Daraitan Barangay Hall. During summer, locals setup a bridge so vehicles can cross but during rainy season, they remove it due to the river’s water level. After crossing, ride another tricycle going to Barangay Hall. You will need to register and pay the environmental fee for Barangay Daraitan. After securing a guide, your trek to Tinipak River starts. The trek is easy but during rainy season, it’s muddy and the rocks were really slippery. Extra caution is needed.

The trail to camp site.

Before reaching Tinipak river camp site, you will need to pay another registration fee to pass a private lot. This is also because of ongoing disputes of which jurisdiction between Daraitan or General Nakar Quezon Tinipak belongs so both sides were charging separate fees. After another 10 minutes, you’ll reach the camp site which is also where the rock formations, swimming area and the cave are. If you wish to go inside the cave you need to pay to cross a makeshift bridge. Make sure to bring flash lights to appreciate the beauty of the cave. Headlamps are available for rent at Barangay Daraitan Hall.

Things to do

Cliff jumping – Ask you guide for the right spot to do it. The river bed is not consistently deep and some were rocky. Make sure to jump on the correct area to avoid any accident. Climbing up is a challenge because you need to swim against the current from one side of the river to the other.

Cliff jumping area

Explore Tinipak Cave – The cave is not as big and grand compared to the last I explored in Sagada but everything looks raw and alive. The highlight of this cave is swimming in a pool inside. Make sure to bring a camera with a powerful flash if you wish to take photos. My GoPro and flash light were useless inside the cave.

Swimming – You can’t just swim on any part of the river. The reason why you have a guide is to watch over you and make sure you are safe. Some parts of the river have strong current so make sure to listen to your guide.

Camping – Overnight camping is possible. Just bring you own tent and food. Be kind enough to bring extra food to share with your guide.

Take a lot of pictures – The rock formations of Tinipak River were just so dramatic and stunning on pictures and so Instagram worthy.

Budget

For a destination near Manila, I want to make this trip as cheap as possible, but most of the time, travelling solo will require you to spend a little more compared to if you’re in a big group.

Summary of Expenses

UV Express Van from Star Mall to Tanay Market – Php 70

Tricycle ride from Tanay to Brgy. Daraitan – Php 400

Boat for River Crossing – Php 5

Tricycle ride after crossing the River to Daraitan Brgy. Hall – Php 10

Guide Fee – Php 1250 for overnight stay, Php 500 for day tour (Still the same even if you will not summit Mt. Daraitan)

Environmental Fee (Barangay Daraitan) – Php 20

Registration to cross a private lot going to Tinipak River – Php 20

Bridge fee to go to Tinipak Cave – Php 5

Tricycle ride from Daraitan Brgy. Hall to River crossing – Php 10

Boat River Crossing – Php 5

Tricycle ride going back to Tanay Market – Php 400

Van to Star Mall – Php 70

Total – 2265 (For overnight stay)

Note: Above prices were based on current rates at the time of writing. Transportation from home to Star Mall and food expenses were not included.

Bringing a private car is possible but please be advised that the road going to Barangay Daraitan is very rough and some were really steep. There is a parking space before you cross the river going to Barangay hall but it’s pretty limited.

70 thoughts on “Solo Traveler’s Guide to Tinipak River”

It’s very near from Manila and the trek is not that hard so I would say yes. Just make sure to check the weather before going there. I revisited the place just last Monday after it rained days prior and the river wasn’t at its calmer and bluer state. According to our guide, it takes 3 days before the water goes to normal level and color.

Hi ! If you’re staying overnight, yes you will need to bring your own tent. But if your concern is where to wash up and change clothes after swimming, there is a paid bathroom on the same store where you will be paying the second environmental fee. You can also wash up at Daraitan’s Barangay hall. 🙂

Hi, there’s an area you can park before riding the boat to cross the river pero very limited yun. Possible na meron ng nakapark or if mataas masyado yung tubig ng ilog that area might be flooded just like the last time we went there. To be safe siguro sa Tanay proper nlang kayo magpark and get a trike to Daraitan. Yes you can cook there, just bring your own cookwares. The nearby store can also cook for you but it’s 10-15minutes away from the camp site and the food they have is very limited. The last time we went there, lucky me pancit canton lang ang meron sila. Regarding safety for kids, I think yes, if you will not summit Mt. Daraitan, the trek to Tinipak Rock formations is very easy. The guides were very active in watching over their guests especially when swimming(depends on water condition).

Hi, I don’t have a contact person but I’m pretty sure there will be no problem even if you walk in. I asked our guide the last time if they experience shortage of guides on busy days like holy week. He said they are adding additional guides on the days they expect huge influx of visitors.

Can we go on private car(suv)?
What time does the baranggay hall of daraitan opens? Do we have to wait for it to open before we start the trip?
What are the things we need for a day trip? What is the best itinerary for a daytrip?
Thanks!

Hi! Yes you can go there on private car. Since it’s summer, I think meron na bridge to cross the river(not 100% sure tho), if yes you should be able to bring it sa Barangay Hall. Regarding things to bring, basic lang na kailangan nyo like damit, towel, drinking water and if you plan to stay longer dala kayo ng pagkain. You may bring a flashlight/headlight as well for the caving if you don’t want to rent it from Barangay Hall. As far as I know, available anytime ang Barangay hall but I would suggest to go there early specially if you plan to climb Mt. Daraitan para hindi masyado mainit. If you only plan to go to Tinipak river, being early is a good thing too to avoid the crowd and if in case maisipan nyo magside trip to other attractions in Tanay.

Hi. I really can’t tell. It depends if your Mom can still do a long walk and a bit of climbing. Same with a 3 year old kid. Pretty sure they would need assistance if you plan to bring them. It’s not a walk in the park after all. 🙂

I think enough nman ang time, depende kasi if how long you plan to stay. I haven’t been to Masungi so I’m not sure how much time you need there. But if you plan to go to tinipak 1-5pm(without the travel time), I think that’s more than enough.

Hi! if we have a private car, from the summary expenses that you mention , alin po dun ung maleless namin, and also were planning to do a prenup there , meron po bang fees or requirement na kailangan? thanks

Hi Mark! I’m not sure if how much yung savings nyo if you’ll bring a private. Di ko din kasi alam if how much gas it will consume to go there. Siguro from the summary of expenses I mentioned, just remove the fare from Manila and the tricycle rental from Manila to Daraitan. Regarding photoshoot nman, not sure if may requirements sila pero as far as I remember the fee is 500 for a group of 10 persons for a day visit.

Although hindi naman nakakalito yung daan, required pa din kayo kumuha ng guide. I would recommend to get one as well. It’s for your own safety din specially if pupunta kayo ng cave and magswimming. Medyo delikado yung tubig sa Tinipak for swimming so mas okay if you have someone to look after you and someone na familiar sa behavior ng river.

hello, me and my friends would like to stay overnight ask ko lang if yung total ng expenses mo is good for how many persons? I mean 2265 each person? we bring our own tent. is it okay to bring alcohol drinks?

Hi! Yung total expenses ko is good if you are going solo. But if you’re coming with friends, the guide fee can be shared for up to 5 persons. With regards to bringing alcohol, I think it should be fine.

It depends on your pace and the river’s water level. Like the second time I visited the water is so high because it’s been raining for the past days, that we need to climb up to huge rocks so that would take more time. But in general, if you come in a good sunny day, you should be there in 1 to an hour and a half.